Animal exerciser



Jan. 12, 1943. c. c. AMENT 5 3 ANIMAL EXERCISE-R Filed July 5. 1941 IN VEN TOR. By C". CTfl/VE Z Patented Jan. 12, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANIMAL EXERCISER Charles 0. Ament, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Application July 5, 1941, Serial No. 401,253

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a device for exercising animals and has particulars reference to a manually operable device designed not only induce domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, to take needed exercise but also to afford both the animals benefitted thereby and the person operating the device delightful entertainment.

To this end, the invention resides in the combinations hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, of which:

Fig. 1 shows a preferred form of the invention as it appears when in position to be held and manipulated by the person wishing to exercise the animal;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, on a larger scale, of the upper end of the handle which forms the controlling member of the device, showing preferred means of attachment associated therewith;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the ball-shaped member of the device, which is held suspended from the handle substantially as indicated in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, of portions of Fig. 1, as will hereinafter be fully described.

The device of the invention, in the form illustrated in the drawing, comprises generally a handle I, a ball 2 and flexible interconnections 3. In manipulating the device to exercise an animal, the handle is held by hand and swung back and forth, up and down, as well as in circles to cause the animal to exert himself in trying to catch the ball, thereby not merely to give him much needed exercise but also to afford the person manipulating the device exciting entertainment.

The handle may be a light wooden rod, and it is shown terminating at one end in an anchoring device comprising a cap Ill. The latter is rigidly secured in any suitable manner, as by crimping an annular groove l i into the surface of the cap. A stud i2 is shown rotatably mounted in the end of the cap and it is held in position by a washer l3, engaging a shoulder M of the stud and riveted in position thereag'ainst. The stud terminates in a loop [5, to which the connection member 3 is suitable attached, as by means of a clip which is secured to the end of the flexible cord of the member.

A similar clip 2| is secured to the opposite end of the cord for supporting the ball-shaped member 2, and it is important to note that each clip is made with a swivel joint 28, in order that the device may be freely swung without danger of twisting the cord. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the member 2 may be a hollow rubber ball, through which an anchoring stem 22 extends. The latter terminates at one end in an eye-shaped head 23, into which the clip 2] is hooked. The opposite end of the stem may conveniently be threaded to receive a lock nut 24, which is designed to maintain the ball member in position on the stem. The ends of the screw-threads may be slightly upset after the parts have been assembled in order to prevent the lock nut from working loose. Preferably, a swivel joint is also embodied in the stem head 23. Where a hollow ball is used, as illustrated, it may be found advisable to force a spacing sleeve 25 into the ball and on to the stem before the lock nut is applied, and. this may readily be done due to the resilience of the rubber.

The object of the game being to induce the animal, particularly if it is a dog, to jump at and to grip the ball in his teeth. It is, for this reason, essential that no part which is sharp or pointed enough to cause discomfort or injury to the mouth of the animal be permitted to project. To this end, it has been found advisable to place and preferably to imbed the end portions of the stem abutting the outer surface of the ball in washers 26, 21. These washers may be made from leather, rubber, or other softer material and they may conveniently be cemented to the ball surface so that they will surely remain in position.

From the foregoing description, it is seen that the connecting member 3 is detachably secured at each end, so that it may readily be replaced when worn or the cord broken, and so that the ball member may be exchanged for another member of a different size to accommodate the particular animal it is desired to exercise. When the device is so constructed, it is seen that the various parts, in a number of sizes, may be kept separately on the counters of sports and toy stores and the purchaser enabled to select the exact combination best suited to his requirements.

Because the device of the invention is adapted for use by young and old alike, it is advantageous to be able readily to adjust the device to the stature of the person desiring to use it. To this end, it is possible to vary the length of the cord, and this may be effected as indicated in Fig. 4. A member 36 is perforated end to end to receive the cord which, in this case, is passed through the eye of the swivel 20 and returned thereto. The member is made with an opening 3! in its side, through which the end of the cord is extended, and it is tied into a knot at this point. An axial slot 32 is out into the member, and the latter is made with screw threads 33, for engagement by a sleeve 34, rotation of which on the member is effective to clamp the cord tightly in adjusted position.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, I do not Wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claim.

I claim:

In an animal exerciser, a handle terminating in an attachment element, a substantially ballshaped member, a stem extending through said member, said stem having projecting ends and terminating in an attachment element, soft material washers seated on said member to encompass the projecting ends of said stem, and a flexible connection having its ends fitted for attachment to said attachment elements.

CHARLES C. AMENT. 

